Sinful Biker

by Terri Lane

  The Shadows of Chaos motorcycle club was a group like no other. They feared no one, and did as they pleased in Cedar Breeze and beyond. The club often used the family bar as their meeting spot, and with her mother being the wife of their Vice President, it was cheaper for them to gather there.

  “So how long before you go running back to school?” he asked snidely.

  She knew what he was insinuating. Julian always made it perfectly clear to her that he thought she was a coward for running away from her problems. But instead of jumping down his throat, she sighed and answered politely. “I’ve been given some bereavement time. My teachers gave me two weeks. I turned in most of the work that was due during the time I’ll be out here, so I’m good on the school side of things. I get to focus my attention on you guys and the funeral.”

  “Why don’t we hang out before you go?” he suggested, pulling up in front of her mother’s house.

  “I guess we can,” she shrugged. Hanging out with Julian wasn’t on her list of things to do. If he knew the real reason she was uncomfortable being back home, she was sure she’d be the last person he’d want to spend time with. But that was a bridge she wasn’t ready to cross.

  “Well we’re here.” She got out of the truck and waved to Julian before making her way inside the house. The sound of Duke’s voice came through the walls and into the front yard. The front yard, still barren of grass or any other living thing, was kicking up dust as she made her way up the rickety wooden stairs onto the front porch.

  It had been such a long time since she’d been home, but it all felt the same. Twisting the knob, she stepped back into the house she lived in as a little girl. Long gone was the college sophomore, and there stood Whitney Shearing, the ten-year-old smart ass.

  “Well look who decided to come back to boring old Cedar Breeze,” Duke snarled as she stepped into the living room, “Shame somebody’s gotta die for you to show your face ‘round here.”

  “Now, you leave her alone,” her mother Molly called, as she hustled in.

  “Hey Duke, thanks for having Jules come get me from the bus.” She forced a smile.

  “That boy wasted time, gas, and company materials comin’ to get you, when you could’ve walked here with those long legs of yours? I’ll deal with him later,” he growled.

  “Hi, Mom,” Whitney said, ignoring Duke’s threats. The two women hugged for what seemed forever. Her mother always smelled of fresh lilacs even though there wasn’t a single blade of grass growing on the lawn. She stepped back and looked into her big beautiful blue eyes, wishing she’d inherited them. Biting her lip, she asked, “How you holding up?”

  “Now don’t go stirring the pot!” Duke clamored from his seat on the sofa, “I just got her to calm down!”

  Whitney raised an eyebrow at her mother, who looked fine. She motioned for her to join her in the back. The front door opened straight on to the living room. Just off that room, to the right, stood the kitchen. There was a long hall leading to the rest of the bedrooms in the house. Duke and Molly occupied the first room. The other two were hers and Julian’s whenever they decided to stay.

  Julian’s room was untouched while her own had been used as a makeshift storage room. She rolled her eyes as she dropped her bag on the floor and went to her mother’s room.

  Molly Shearing-Danes could have been one of the most beautiful women in the world, but she had let her husband wear her down. The wrinkles around her eyes, the lines on her forehead, the roughness of her hands, all were signs of a woman working hard. In her case, at the family bar. “So, what was that about Puke calming you down?” she snickered.

  Molly covered her mouth, trying to mask her giggle. “I haven’t heard you call him that in so long. What’s got you in such a good mood?”

  “Just happy to see you. But seriously, are you okay?” Whitney asked again.

  “I’m fine,” Molly smiled. She sat on the bed and began pulling at clothes in a laundry basket. After folding a few, she looked up to her daughter, who was watching her in disbelief, “Really, I am, Whit. Paw was sick for a long time and honestly, it was time for him to go. It’s good that he’s resting now. I will admit I’ve been a bit over the top with Duke because it’s made him nicer. He did the dishes this morning.”

  “What?” Whitney had never seen Duke lift a finger to do a single chore inside the house.

  “Truth be told, Paw left me and Ben the bar. I think he’s trying to butter me up so I’d sign it over. But if that’s his reason for being nice, along with my fits of tears, then I’ll take it. But what I haven’t told him is that I want you to run it.”

  “You want what?”

  ***

  The weather was unseasonably warm and the sun was bright. Whitney’s black dress clung to her breasts but flowed freely from the waist down. The breeze swayed as their tears spilled. A smile touched Molly’s lips as a cloud passed overhead. Her body swelled with every emotion but sadness. Whitney nudged her mother as people began to stare.

  “I understand Paw was expected to pass, but these people don’t know that. You’re smiling,” she whispered.

  Molly schooled her expression as Duke glared down at her, “Since you’re in such a good mood, why don’t you sign those papers for your husband like a good wife should?”

  “Now’s not the time,” Molly spoke to him in a much sweeter tone than Whitney thought he deserved.

  Julian was right behind them. Whitney’s uncle was nowhere to be seen. They marched from the entrance of the cemetery to Pawpaw’s burial plot. Whitney looked around at every man, woman, and child. Her grandfather had touched every single one of their lives.

  Pawpaw Shearing hadn’t been frail. He didn’t travel with a walker or cane. He had ridden his Harley with pride, oxygen tank, emphysema, and all. There was no one who could out talk him, not a soul who’d dare to swindle him. He’d always fought to see women and children treated fairly, but there was never a place for them at the bar. He had been protective, misogynistic, sweet, selfish, charismatic, and boisterous. Pawpaw had been a complicated man who she would have loved to know better. He had also loved his son-in-law. The gleam in his eyes on Molly’s wedding day was one she’d never forget. Perhaps it was the fact that she’d found someone, but it could be that he and Duke were alike. Whitney refused to believe that.

  After he was in the ground, Duke started at Molly again, “Okay, he’s in the ground now. Let’s get home so we can sign those papers.”

  “I ain’t gonna sign nothing just yet!” Molly snapped. It was the first time Whitney had seen her mother be aggressive with Duke. She liked it.

  “Don’t sass me woman! Not in front of all these people. I’ll knock you clear into next Sunday!” he growled.

  “Like hell you will!” Whitney jumped to her mother’s defense.

  Julian wasn’t going to stay silent either, “And you’ll do what? Run away to that fancy school of yours if he does? You don’t even like it here, so what’s it matter to you if she signs away that bar, anyway?”

  “It matters because she’s going to run it for a while,” Molly told them.

  “That doesn’t make any sense. She don’t know nothing about The Shock Bar!” Duke shouted.

  “I know enough!” Whitney shouted back. “I’ve taken plenty of business classes. I practically grew up in that bar, and you know what? I don’t have to explain anything to you. This isn’t your decision to make. And to you Jules, if he lays a finger on her, you’ll see where I’ll run to and it won’t be to school.”

  “Keep your threats to yourself, Whit.”

  “Well at least there’s still one thinking man in this family.” Whitney shook her head and walked away. She’d had enough of her adoring stepfather. The funeral was over, and there was nothing anyone could say or do to make her hang around any longer.

  While the mourners were sure to make their way to her mother’s house, Whitney had another place in mind. The row of bikes parked outside the bar let her know it wasn’t as emp
ty as she’d thought it was going to be.

  Walking into The Shock Bar was like taking a step into an alternate universe. The leather bar stools lined the entire length of the bar along the back wall. There were tables and chairs scattered around the floor with booths lining one wall with the other wall full of pictures and memorabilia.

  The fellas inside the bar nodded their heads, and some even managed a smile. But it was the guy behind the bar, cleaning out a glass, that got her attention.

  Benjamin Shearing was the spitting image of her Pawpaw, only he was a hell of a lot younger. His curly brown hair, and light hazel eyes glistened, even in the dim light of the room. That smile of his could light up the darkest day, and melt every care in the world. She loved the spirit of her Uncle. He was carefree, but dependable. Most of all he loved her no matter what she did, and he showed it.

  “So why weren’t you at the funeral?” She plopped down on one of the stools.

  “I would serve you a drink but I don’t even think you’re twenty-one yet. Get outta here kid,” he joked.

  “Not until you tell me why you weren’t at your dad’s funeral.” She folded her arms over her chest and refused to budge.

  Ben pulled a lever, letting the amber colored, liquid flow into a tall glass which he slid down to a big guy with an enormous beard. Two thick grey and white braids dangled from his bandana framing the huge Shadows of Chaos patch on the back of his black leather vest. Whitney shook her head wondering why none of these guys were at the funeral. Her grandfather had been a part of the club when he was younger, and when he opened the bar some forty years ago, he welcomed them with open arms. She thought the place should have been closed for the day.

  “Somebody’s gotta keep this business going. And if what I hear is correct, you’re coming to help out?” He cocked his head to the side as he wiped down the counter.

  Whitney pulled the hair tie from her head, letting the thick, dark brown strands fall around her face. She knew it made her look younger, and she saw Ben smile.

  “You look so much like Clay, I don’t know how your mother can stand it,” he told her, referring to her father.

  Whitney didn’t know much about her father, Clay Samuels, except that he took off when she could barely walk. There were pictures of him in the bar, but no one would ever say anything about him. Ben was the only man who’d mention him by name. Perhaps it was her Pawpaw’s doing. No father would be able to stand the sight or mention of the man’s name who abandoned his daughter and her baby. But then why leave his pictures up?

  She fumbled with her hair a bit more until she finally pulled it into a low ponytail. Whitney didn’t want to look like her father. “Why didn’t y’all just close for the day?”

  Ben sighed as he approached Whitney, who was still staring him down from her seat. He stroked the side of her cheek, and tapped the bottom of her chin lightly.

  “Ease up kiddo. Everybody wasn’t Paw’s biggest fan. And just because his funeral was today doesn’t mean I won’t go pay my respects. Besides I never cared what other folks thought about me or any of us. I do what I want, when I want. As you can see, this place ain’t empty, so why close it down? If Paw was alive, he would’ve shit bricks if we closed on a beautiful day like this. Relax, he ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

  The crudeness of his humor made Whitney chuckle a bit. “Well you missed the fireworks anyway. Duke wants Mom to sign over her half of the bar to him. He asked her at the burial plot!”

  “To do what? He’s only in here for club business and every other night I’m in here with the staff anyway. What’s he gonna do with half of a bar?”

  “I assume he’ll try to muscle you out of your share, or maybe gift it to the club. Who knows? But I tell you what, as long as I’m here I’ll do whatever Mom asks.”

  “Is that because you want to, or because you’d rather stick it to Duke one last time before you hit the road again?” he asked.

  Whitney’s face dropped, “Are you mad at me too? You know why I left.”

  Ben got really close to her and whispered so only she could hear, “I know why, and I told you then what I’m telling you now. It’s bullshit! All you have to do is face it, take what comes with the decisions you made and move on. Staying out of Cedar Breeze won’t make the problem go away.”

  “Yeah, but staying in Cedar Breeze will sure be a lot of fun,” a voice said from behind Whitney. Ben shook his head and walked away.

  Whitney turned around to see Tara Ingram. The petite woman had huge tits, a slender waist, long legs, and a leather jacket with a Shadows of Chaos patch on the sleeve. She stood with her hands on her hips and her fire red hair swept to one side of her face. Their history was connected by one man. She was the other reason Whitney ran out of town. Certain things were about to come out that she wasn’t ready to deal with. The funeral was hard enough, and facing Tara wasn’t on her list of things to do that day.

  “Hey Tara,” Whitney mumbled getting up.

  “Oh no honey, don’t get up for me,” she insisted, narrowing her eyes. “I didn’t realize you’d be in town long enough to stop by.”

  “As a matter of fact, I’ll be here for a bit longer than everyone imagined,” she asserted, as she walked passed the leather clad vixen. She and Tara hadn’t gotten along since Whitney wrecked her relationship with Julian years ago. While the fault seemingly lay with him, there was a part to the story only Ben and Tara seemed to know about. Whitney was far from ready to open those pages again, so she left The Shock Bar. There would be plenty of time for her to spill her guts over the next few days and hopefully it wouldn’t ruin the relationships she had with the people she loved. Their bonds were hanging by a thread as it was.

  ***

  The scent of Julian was all around her as Whitney woke up with him on her mind. Not surprising as she was in his bed. The black walls kept the room dark. The mattress was lumpy, but the comforter was still warmer than any other blanket in the house.

  Whitney couldn’t hear Duke and Molly arguing, and she didn’t want to. She wanted to sleep in her own room, but with boxes stacked up to the ceiling, it was less than welcoming. The signs were all around her that she’d left and vowed to never return, but there she was, in her old house about to get ready to spend the day in The Shock Bar with a bunch of people who were less than enthusiastic to have her home.

  It only took a few minutes for Whitney to scoop her long locks into a ponytail and slip into some figure hugging jeans, and a tight knit black shirt that barely covered her chest and midriff. If she was going to help run The Shock Bar, she would love to get some great tips while doing it.

  When she emerged from the rear bedroom, she made her way into the kitchen to find her mother putting dishes away and sniffling to herself.

  “Morning, Mom. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Molly replied. She turned around and her eyes were bloodshot. “You ready?”

  “You’re not fine! What happened?”

  “Duke just doesn’t understand why I want to bring you into this. He doesn’t understand that Paw left me a piece of the place because if he only left it to Ben, Ben would sell it off to the highest bidder and dad wanted it to stay in the family. I would love for you to go in and run the place for a bit with Ben. Use that schooling of yours to help me make a decision on whether to sell up, or keep it in the family and find some decent people to run it for us. Ben said he would do whatever I wanted, but if Duke has his way, he’d give it to Marco and I don’t want to do that. Paw wouldn’t have done that either.” She folded her arms across her chest and looked out the kitchen window.

  “He doesn’t have to understand,” Whitney rubbed her shoulder, “When all’s said and done, I’ll give you my honest opinion about the place, and hopefully it’ll make everybody happy.”

  “This ain’t about folks being happy, Whit!” her mother scolded, surprising her. “The reason I chose you for this was because you have nothing tying you to this town. You showed me and everybody else
that you can just pick up and go. You can make the tough decisions. I don’t need everyone to love the decision, I need you to be honest with me about what’s going on. How much money does the place need to run? How much debt is that place carrying? Did Paw leave any money in the accounts to keep it running? Because I see too many folks with tabs that they ain’t paid. Just be yourself, take charge, and don’t let folks push you around. And as much as you may hate Duke, he’s your step-dad and you may need to use his leverage as Vice President of the club. Don’t be afraid to, because if push comes to shove, I know he’ll do the right thing.”

  “You mean run me over with his bike,” Whitney scoffed.

  Her mother shook her head and stepped over to her, taking Whitney’s face in her hands. “He’ll stand by his family. Those patches don’t mean as much as you think they do. Now go have a good day.”

  Whitney grabbed a cup of coffee and left the house with her mother’s words hanging over her head like a dark cloud.

  Whitney wasn’t sure what to expect when she grabbed the keys to her mother’s jeep and drove down to the bar. There was a line of bikes parked out front as usual, even though it was barely nine. Who drinks at nine in the morning?

  There was a meeting being held when she stepped in. Duke was in front of the wall of memories, a small group of men sat around him. The shade of red pulsating through his cheeks told her he wasn’t in a good mood, and neither were the rest of them. One turned to her, “Well look at what the sun dragged in? What you doin’ here girl?”

  Whitney sighed. She understood that Duke would do anything in his power to make her job difficult. She wished they had a different relationship, one that wasn’t so combative. Then he surprised her by speaking up, “Hush Carl. That girl don’t wanna be here no more than you want her to be. I don’t want her here either, but her Momma is making her do this, so you gotta respect that. How many of you would turn down a request from your mothers?”

  A few mumbles let her know they would get used to the idea of having her around. She made her way behind the bar toward the door that led to a hallway. Down the hallway was the back entrance to the kitchen, and a doorway which led into an empty back lot, and the office.